The Crusaders: March To Constantinople

Peter and his followers marched southward and eastward toward Constantinople. As they marched through Hungary and Bulgaria they helped themselves to crops, cattle and other possessions of the local villagers. Some of the men attacked and raped the local women and those who resisted were killed (Biel 37). Their anger grew to such an intensity by the time they reached Greece, they entered a Christian village mistaking them for Seljuk Turks, and massacred all the people. Alarmed by reports of such barbaric acts Hungarians, Bulgarians and Greeks banded together to attack the crusaders as they continued their march to Constantinople (Biel 37). During this time many crusaders were killed or gave up and returned to their homes in Europe.